**In a private room in a tavern.

"Dear General, we didn't take you lightly when we chose the place to meet, just to avoid some annoying flies." Julia said with a smile as she stretched out her right hand.

"I was very happy with the place, it was basic, but quiet, perfect for what we were discussing. Thank you for the arrangement. Cervera kissed the back of Julia's hand and said.

"After the discussion of the colleague meeting, I think that in some specific cases, we can transfer the relevant technology." Vittorio said straight to the point.

"Tell me about your conditions, if the conditions are right, I think we will be able to complete this deal that is beneficial to both parties." Sevela was very uneventful.

"If your country can order more than 3 **-class dome cruisers, and at least 2 of them are built in our country, then we can transfer the relevant technology and help your country build at the Bazin shipyard." Vittorio said word by word while carefully observing the other party's reaction.

"That's a cost of nearly £1 million. This budget is difficult to pass in Congress. Severa pouted.

"I think £1 million is really not a lot on a major issue related to the revitalization of the Spanish Navy." A sneer appeared at the corner of Xu Jie's mouth. "Can't the Spanish Navy, which once crisscrossed the oceans, even come up with the money to equip itself with three first-class Dome cruisers?" A sentence that followed...... Deeply stimulated the Severa present. ,…,

"I would like to remind Mr. Xu that your remarks have seriously damaged the dignity of the Spanish Navy." Sevela clenched her fists and said indignantly.

"I'm just talking about things. From a series of coastal defense ships of less than 1,000 tons and dome cruisers of less than 2,000 tons, the Spanish fleet, which was once quite powerful in the Napoleonic era, has gradually transformed into a coastal fleet that maintains order in the colonies. Lost the ability to cross the oceans. What qualifications does the Spanish Navy have to talk about dignity? Xu Jie continued to hit Sevila.

"It's just a real need. In the current relatively mild environment, it is understandable for the Spanish Navy to build more warships suitable for coastal operations. Severa retorted.

"Relatively moderate? Well, that's a good excuse, but I don't know what the Spanish side means by détente? The United States is quite interested in your colony in Cuba. By the way, there is also the Philippines in the Far East. I think that in the face of the accelerated development of the US fleet, your country should always be aware, right? Xu Jie said and took out a document and handed it to Cervera.

"Some of the actions of the Americans have really caught our attention, which is why we will order this cutting-edge warship from your country." Nor does Severa deny that it is no secret that the United States Government has complained about Spanish rule in Cuba. ,…,

"From this point of view, can I think that the Spanish Navy should once again take on the responsibility of meeting the challenge of the enemy fleet in the open oceans?" Xu Jie asked.

"There's a purpose." Severa nodded.

"In this case, which country's naval construction should properly emphasize ocean-going combat capabilities, and those coastal defense ships of less than 1,000 tons can still travel long distances to the Americas to confront the cruisers of the US Navy?" The questioning expression on Xu Jie's face made Saivela very unhappy.

"A fleet needs to be balanced, and in order to maintain the stability of the colony, shore defense warships are a must." Severa said.

"A fleet needs to be balanced, but for a certain period of time it needs to be tilted towards a certain type of warship. Personally, I believe that the rebels of those colonies cannot fundamentally influence the rule of your country, and the work of suppressing local uprisings is completely left to the army, and the task of the navy is to deal with the fleets of potential enemy countries, and the **-class cruisers with strong firepower, high speed, and proper protection and strong damage resistance are naturally the best choice for your country, do you think that in this case, it is really unacceptable to spend an extra 300,000 pounds? Xu Jie continued.

"Xu, what you said does make sense, but for now, the navy's budget is really difficult, even if we cancel some orders for coastal defense ships, it will be difficult for us to order 3 **-class cruisers at once." Sevela spoke out about her difficulties. ,…,

"General, in fact, we can consider this issue from a business point of view. For example, we can provide you with some loans for the purchase of ships, and you don't have to pay for 3 ships at once, you can order 2 ships in Italy and then produce them in Spain for the second or third year. In this way, not only can the problems identified during the construction process be corrected, but your country will not have to come up with such a large sum of money at once. It is entirely possible to spread the cost of building a ship over the next two to three years. As a shrewd businessman, Julia offered her own opinion. …,

"It's a real plan, but I think I still need to contact the country. But I think there is hope, and if I can, I would like to have a suitable written plan in terms of payment methods and loans offered. Cervera expressed support for Julia's suggestion.

"But if I can, I still hope that we can build two in Spain and one in your country." Sevela put forward his own conditions.

"I want to ...... You should ask the Italian Admiralty for this condition, and it is not impossible to build only one ship in Italy if all the major shipyards can get a piece of the pie. Julia thought for a moment and replied. ,…,

"But I hope that your Excellency and your government will place an order for a ship first, so that it will be easier for you to deal with the Admiralty." Vittorio said. "After all, the Navy attaches great importance to this type of warship. If a country wants to buy only drawings and not a ship, the Italian Navy will be very unhappy. ”

"We will take your opinion into account, and I personally believe that the order for the first ship will come down soon. I wish us a happy cooperation. Severa said with a smile.

No one would have thought of it. The conversation in a tavern in Italy in 1899 actually changed history to a certain extent. From this moment on, world history took another fork in the road. Its far-reaching impact far exceeded Xu Jie's expectations at the time. And this step is just the first step Xu Jie has taken.

Correction: The Duke of Edinburgh, then Sir Anthony Hoskins, before March 1889, was commander of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, and in 1891 George Tryon

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